A New Jersey spa, modeled after traditional Korean bathhouses, found itself at the center of a legal battle over access to gender-segregated facilities. The dispute arose when a transgender woman was denied entry to the women’s area, despite identifying as female.
Alexandra “Allie” Goebert visited King Spa with a friend in 2022 and presented a driver’s license identifying her as female. Despite this, she was initially directed to the men’s locker room. Goebert explained to staff that she was a transgender woman and requested access to the women’s area.
Initially granted access, Goebert’s presence in the women’s area was quickly challenged. A locker room attendant reported her to a manager, who directly questioned Goebert about her anatomy, asking if she still possessed “boy parts.”
Upon confirming she had not undergone gender-affirming surgeries, Goebert was removed from the women’s section. She argued that she felt unsafe and unwelcome in the men’s area, as it did not align with her gender identity. The spa offered a compromise – she could remain if she wore a bathing suit, but Goebert refused, stating she didn’t have one.
Goebert accused the spa of violating New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination, which protects transgender individuals from discrimination in public accommodations. She filed a formal complaint, alleging misgendering and discriminatory treatment.
The case was headed for a jury trial, but King Spa and Goebert reached a confidential settlement. As part of the agreement, the spa will compensate Goebert for the distress caused by the incident.
More significantly, King Spa is now required to implement “gender identity-friendly” policies. This includes eliminating strict sex-segregation in its facilities, allowing individuals to use amenities that align with their gender identity, regardless of their physical characteristics.
The spa will also update its employee handbook to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and expression. This policy aims to ensure all patrons feel welcome and respected.
This case echoes a similar situation in Washington state. Olympus Spa was ordered to admit transgender women who had not undergone surgery after a complaint was filed by a member whose application was denied.
Haven Wilvich argued that the spa’s policy effectively excluded transgender women without surgery. Despite the spa owner citing religious beliefs and First Amendment rights, the Washington State Human Rights Commission sided with Wilvich, reinforcing the principle of inclusive access for transgender individuals.
Both cases highlight a growing legal trend: state laws increasingly protect transgender individuals’ right to use public accommodations consistent with their gender identity, challenging traditional notions of sex-segregated spaces.
